Swimming pool structure



April 25 1967 E. scHATzKl ETAL 3,315,278

SWIMMING POOL STRUCTURE 5 Sheets-Sheet l Filed Aug. 18, 1965 IOO E INVENTORS ERICH scHATzKl ROBERT scHLEEwElss BY KENNETH RICHARDSON a? April 25, 1967 ESCHATZKI ETAL 3,315,278

SWIMMING POOL STRUCTURE 5 Shee cs-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 18, 1965 FIG. 3

N WO S E mIWR TKEA NZEH ETLC VAHm HC NCSH 1S mm H 0 EN w wBN ROE ERK JATTORNEYS Amai 25, 1967 Filed Aug. 18, 1965 E. SCHATZKI ETAL SWIMMING POOL STRUCTURE FIC-l5 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 ATTORNEYS" PFB 25, 1957 v E. scHATzKl ETAT. 3,315,278

SWIMMING POOL STRUCTURE Filed Aug. 18, 1965 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 FIG. 7 32 /24 INVENTORS ERICH SCHATZKI ROBERT scHLEEwElss BY KENNETH RICHARDSON ATTORNEYS" April 25, 1967 E. scHATzKl ETAL 3,315,278

SWIMMING POOL STRUCTURE Filed Aug'. 18, 1965 5 sheets-sheet 5 N INVENTORS N a. 5 ERICH scHATzKl ROBERT scHLEEwElss BY l KENNETH RICH/Rosoni United States Patent O signors to Bilnor Corporation, a corporation of New York Filed Aug. 18, 1965, Ser. No. 480,560 12 Claims. (Cl. 4-172) This invention comprises improvements in the supporting structure for a sheet plastic swimming pool lining to be mounted on the ground.

A general object of the invention is to provide a .bracing and supporting structure for a thin metal wall within which the lining is mounted, based on the general principle that the wall is supported so as to be in tension with substantially no bending stresses.

Within the above framework it is an object of this invention to provide a supporting structure which is simple and relatively inexpensive land suited to knocked down construction capable of being easily assembled -by the average purchaser.

Many other detailed objects are involved in the subject matt-er of this invention, which, however, `will best be understood in connection with the following detailed description of several forms of the invention selected for illustrative purposes.

The illustrated embodiments are disclosed in the `accompanying drawings, wherein:

FIGURE 1 is a plan view of one form of the structure of this invention;

FIGURE 2 is a cross sectional view taken on the line 2-2 of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is a vertical central cross-sectional view at the lower end of one of the supporting posts;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective View of a modified form of structure in accordance with this invention;

FIGURE 5 is a perspective view of a second modified form of the invention;

FIGURE 6 is a cross-sectional view taken on the line 6 6 of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 7 is a longitudinal cross-sectional view with some parts broken away of the seating element of the structure of FIGURE 5;

FIGURE 8 is a somewhat diagrammatic plan view of a third modified form of the invention;

FIGURE 9 is also a diagrammatic plan view illustrating still another modification of the invention; and FIGURE 10 is a perspective view of a iinal modified form of the invention.

As is well understood in the hydraulic art, a container for a fluid, if of circular section, equally distributes the forces created by the weight of the fluid in all directions. Such a force distribution places the wall of the container under tension. Because -of the symmetry of the circular form the water forces cannot change the shape of the container. In accordance with these principles the structural form of the water container consists of two or more wall sections, all of which, in plan, are in turn sections of circles.

These sections are joined or are integral at their lines of juncture, which lie at the apices of the valleys of cusps, resulting from the joining of the circular sections. In accordance with this invention the wall structure is supported at these lines of juncture by means of vertical supp-orts, which are laterally braced either by tension or compression members to prevent their rotation about the lower ends under the Water forces to be encountered. With these general principles in mind the several forms of the invention embodying them will now be described in detail.

The form of the invention illustrated in FIGS. 1 t-o 3 inclusive illustrates a structure comprising a thin metal wall enclosure, comprising a pair of circular wall sections 10 and 10 united together along a line to form a pair of diametrically opposed cusps. The wall can be made of various materials suited for the purpose, but is preferably made of steel or aluminum, which, in regard to the forces involved, will be relatively thin. The two parts 10 and 10 could 'be composed of a single sheet of material given the circular forms shown or could be made of two parts joined along the meeting line at the apices of the cusps. Positioned in the valleys of the cusps are the 'vertical supports 12, illustrated as metal tubes, which are attached at their lower ends to a transverse tension member or stay 14 extending therebetween and projecting beyond each of the supports, as shown in FIG. 2. Although it is preferable that the stay 14 extend between supports 12 it is not essential and separate stays 14 could be utilized being held against outward movement by the downward pressure of the water. In this form the ends 14a of the stay 14 are turned upwardly to form abutments against which the lower ends of the braces or outriggers 16 are engaged. The upper ends of the braces 16 are formed to -be complementary with the contour of the standards 12 and are secured thereto by means of the nut and bolt assemblies 18. Position-ed within the enclosure formed by the wall sections 10 and 10 is a water impervious membrane 20, which can be made of any suitable iiexible plastic material. This membrane extends along the bottom of the enclosure up the inner faces of the wall parts 10 and 10, and is positioned over their upper edges, as shown in FIG. 2. The upper edge of the membrane can be secured in position in any suitable manner, which is not the subject matter of this disclosure, although one form of attaching means is disclosed in copending application Ser. No. 359,896, tiled April 15, 1964.

In order to give better form to the lining, it is preferable that the corner between the wall parts 10 and 10 and the surfaces of the ground be filled in with a small embankment of earth E, so as to give a rounded contour to the lining 20 in this region. It is useful and usually desirable to provide means for holding the wall parts 10 and 10 and the supports 12 and 12 in place. This is accomplished in accordance with this invention by utilizing the weight of the water in the pool. For this purpose pairs of iiaps 10a are secured in any suitable manner to the bottom adjacent edges of the wall parts 10 and 10 or to the transverse stays 14 adjacent the supports 12 and positioned along the surface of the ground under the earth iilling E, see FIGS. 1 and 2.

To further complete the disclosure, it is noted in FIG- URE 3 that each of the supports 12 is closed by an inserted cap 12a secured in place by means of the nut and bolt 12b. In turn, the closure 12a is secured, for example, by means of rivets to a plate 12C, the stay 14 being secured between them, as clearly shown in FIG. 3.

In accordance with the principles of this invention the outward forces, due to the water content of the pool, will be uniformly distributed over the wall parts 10 and 10, which in themselves will not be distorted by these forces because of their ideal circular form. It is clear, however, that in the area of the cusps the water pressure would tend to move them outwardly. This outward motion is restrained by the tension stay 14. However, this stay alone would not sulice lbecause these same water forces would tend to rotate the supports 12 outwardly if not properly restrained. In this form of the invention this is accomplished by means of the outriggers 16, which shift the point of rotation tendency laterally from the bases of the supports 12 to the ends of the outriggers 16. However, they are properly positioned so as to successfully resist any tendency of the pool wall to separate in the region of the cusps. Consideration will show that under these forces, as described, the tendency of the supports 12 to rotate about the ends of the outrigger 16 could result in a tendency for the supports 12 to move vertically. This tendency is counteracted by proportioning the flaps 10a to have sufficient area so that under the weight of the water present this tendency to rise up will be fully compensated. It will be seen then that with a very simple assembly applicant has provided a pool lining supporting structure in which the retaining walls 10 and 10 can be of relatively light material strong enough to resist the tensile forces encountered. The arrangement of bracing is such that there are practically no bending forces to be absorbed by the wall parts.

The structure of FIG. 4 differs from that of the previous one in that the outriggers 16 are dispensed with by reason of the use of a tensile member 22 extending between the upper ends of the supports 112. These supports are anchored at their lower ends to the tensile strap 114, corresponding to the strap 14 of the previous construction. Here all the advantages of the previous construction are obtained with fewer elements. In this case the flaps 10a are not required, since the tensile member 22 prevents any outward rotational movement of the upper ends of the supports 112.

The arrangement of FIG. 5 is quite similar to that of FIG. 4, the primary difference being that the tensile member 22 is replaced by a plate 24, lwhich serves the same function but can also serve as a seat for the pool users. FIGURES 6 and 7 show specifically how the seat strut strap is attached. It comprises a flanged rectangular plate, secured, for example, by means of rivets to a tubular brace or box girder 30. This brace is attached at its ends to the supports 112, as shown in these gures. The attaching elements comprise at one end a pair of plates 26 secured to one of the columns 12 by means of the nut and bolt 28 and in turn to the adjacent end of the tube 30 by means of the nut and bolt 32. To give lateral stability to this assembly thertube 30 is secured to the right hand support 112 by means of a pair of gusset plates 126. These plates are secured to the standard 112 by means of the nut and bolt assemblies 28 and to the tube 30 by means of the nut and bolt assemblies 32. This arrangement forms a stress rectangle which will securely hold the wall parts and 10 in the desired initial position under the water stresses to be encountered.

Two other forms of the invention are somewhat diagrammatically illustrated in FIGURES `8 and 9 in plan view. `In FIGURE 8 the enclosure is formed of three circular wall sections 110, forming three cusps in the valleys of which are positioned the vertical supports 12, as in the original form. These supports are braced by means of the outriggers 16 as before. The tension stays are also used, their position being indicated at C14 in lFIG. 8. `In other words, straps, like the strap 14 of FIG. 2, are arranged in triangular relationship so as to extend successively between the uprights 12, to which they are attached, as before. As in the case of FIG. 2, the straps C14 extend outwardly of the enclosure and their ends .fare turned up Iand inserted -in the outriggers 16. In FIG. 9 the same principles are followed, but in this case the two wall parts 10 and 10 are joined by central circular sections C10 to form two pairs of diametrically opposed cusps. In the valleys of each of these cusps are positioned the vertical supports 12 having the outriggers -16 as before. Tension straps connect the bases of the standards yin pairs as before, as indicated by the position lines C14. The purpose of illustrating the modification of FIGS. 8 and 9 is to further indicate the tiexibility of the concept of this invention, wherein the pool enclosure is formed by a thin metal wall consisting of circular sections joined along their edges in a symmetrical arrangement. This gives these rwall sections the form which is most natural, that is a form resulting from the uniform distrilmembers extending across the enclosure.

bution of the water pressure of the water conned thereby. It is to be understood that in the arrangements of FIGS. 8 and 9 flaps corresponding to the flaps 10a of the arrangement of FIG. 1 will be arranged at the base of each of the supports 12. tIt goes without saying that in all these forms it is -intended that the enclosure be lined with a rwaterproof membrane. v

To in-dicate further the exibility of this invention, reference is made to the structure of FIGURE 10, wherein the enclosure is the same as that of FIG. 9, but the supporting and bracing structure for it is different. As shown, the enclosure wall comprises the two circular parts 10 and 10 connected by a pair of intermediatecircular sections C10. At the diametrically opposed pair of cusps are the water pressure plates 10a, as before. Extending transversely of the enclosure are a series of tension straps 214, the middle pair on each side being at the cusps, as before, and the terminal `pairs at the circular ends 10. Mounted on these straps at each end are the vertical supports 212 and 222, which are diagonally braced by means of the, outriggers 216. rExtending longitudinally on each side of the enclosure are a pair of struts 224 positioned at the upper ends of the vertical supports 212. Similarly positioned at the upper ends of the vertical supports 222 are the longitudinal struts 226. The strut pairs 224 and 226 are connected in the plane of each pair of vertical s-upports 212 and 222 by the braces 228. Extending.diagonallybetween the strut pairs 224 an-d 226 between the pairs of braces 228 are the diagonal braces 230. All of these bracing members can be of any suitable cross section, as, for example, tubular, as shown, and all of them are connected at their meeting points in any suitable manner, as, for example, by welding or by means of nut and bolt assemblies, as previously mentioned. It will be seen that with this arrangement all of the advantages of the previously described construction are obtained. Like the arrangements of FIGS. 1, 8 and 9, there are no structural members extending across the enclosure, the bracing frames being such as to prevent the spreading and the rotation of the walls without using 'It is, of course, apparent that with this arrangement the framing is such that seats or decking can be supported around the rim of the enclosure and even extended across the ends if desired.

From the above description it will be apparent that the principles of this invention can be embodied in many specific forms. It is desired, therefore, that the scope of protection afforded hereby be Idetermined by the appended claims rather than be limited by the specific embodiments described for illustrative purposes.

What is claimed is:

1. A supporting structure for a sheet plastic swimming pool lining comprising lat least two united wall sections formed of material which is non-rigid in the lon-gitudinal direction, curved in horizontal planes and forming at least a pair of cusps, vertical supports lying along the outer surfaces of the apices of said cusps, transversely extending means connected to the lower ends of said supports for preventing outward movement of said lower ends, and means engaging said vertical supports for preventing outward movements of the upper ends of sai-d supports under contained water pressure.

2. -In the combination of claim 1 said wall sections being circular.

3. In the combination of claim 1, said last means comprising braces connected between said transversely extending members and said supports.

4. In the combination of claim 11, said transversely extending members comprising transverse stays interconnect- -ing the lower ends of said supports.

5. In the combination of claim 1, said last means comprising a tension member interconnecting the upper ends of said supports.

A6. In the combination of claim 1, said last means comprising a platform interconnecting the upper ends of said supports.

7. In the combination of claim 1, said last means comprising box 'girders interconnecting the ends of said supports. i

8. In the combination of claim 1, said supports comprising interconnected vertical and horizontal bracing frames.

9. In the combination of claim 1, means associated with said transversely extending members in the region of the lower ends of Said cusps for holding said vertical supports in a fixed vertical position under the weight of the contained water.

10. A ground surface supported swimming pool comprising a thin walled enclosure formed with at least two circular Wall portions joined to form a pair of cusps which de-ne 'an open interior area within said wall sections, vertical supports positioned in the valleys of said cusps and tension members interconnecting the upper and lower ends of said supports to prevent outward and rotational movement thereof.

11. A supporting structure for a sheet plastic swimming pool lining comprising at least two wall sections, curved in horizontal planes and forming at least a pair of cusps which define an open interior area within said Wall sections, and Vertical members extending along the apices of the cusps and supporting said wall sections in a substantially vertical position against the weight of the iluid contained in the pool.

12. 1In the combination of claim 10 said supports extending upwardly beyond said rwall sections and said upper tension members extending between at least one opposite pair of said vertical supports.

References Cited by the Examiner UNITED STATES PATENTS Re. 21,531 8/1940 Peterson 52-63 907,183 12/1908 Seaman 10S-380 1,668,179 5/1928 Williams 220-1 1,753,427 4/1930 Phillips 4-177 1,786,613 12/1930 Hooper 4-177 2,860,806 11/ 1958 Yanowitz 220-1 3,193,847 7/1965 Mashura 4-172 3,225,363 12/1965 Barrera 4-172 3,233,251 2/1966 Barrera 4-172 LAVERNE D. GEIGER, Primary Examiner. HENRY K. ARTIS, Assistant Examiner. 

1. A SUPPORTING STRUCTURE FOR A SHEET PLASTIC SWIMMING POOL LINING COMPRISING AT LEAST TWO UNITED WALL SECTIONS FORMED OF MATERIAL WHICH IS NON-RIGID IN THE LONGITUDINAL DIRECTION, CURVED IN HORIZONTAL PLANES AND FORMING AT LEAST A PAIR OF CUSPS, VERTICAL SUPPORTS LYING ALONG THE OUTER SURFACES OF THE APICES OF SAID CUSPS, TRANSVERSELY EXTENDING MEANS CONNECTED TO THE LOWER ENDS OF SAID SUPPORTS FOR PREVENTING OUTWARD MOVEMENT OF SAID LOWER ENDS, AND MEANS ENGAGING SAID VERTICAL SUPPORTS FOR PREVENTING OUTWARD MOVEMENTS OF THE UPPER ENDS OF SAID SUPPORTS UNDER CONTAINED WATER PRESSURE. 